Over the past 12 years the National Drug Council (NDC) has conducted the Cayman Islands Student Drug Use Survey (CISDUS). Cycle six (6) of the survey is scheduled to take place in April 2012.
The survey aims;
- To gain a better understanding of drug use among middle and high school students in the Cayman Islands;
- To provide a fundamental opportunity for schools, community, private and public entities to develop evidence-based policies and programmes that are geared towards the needs of our youth.
- To continue in the development and strengthening of prevention programmes and policies; and
- To continue to track changes in alcohol and drug use patterns.
The survey continues to be utilised in the public and private sector including but not limited to; Government Officials, local organisations, special interest groups, and various regional bodies to guide discussions, strategic plans and policies.
Moreover, CISDUS allows for comprehensive planning of prevention initiatives by indicating the prevalence of alcohol and tobacco use, the rise of drug abuse, and the distribution of use across all geographic areas of the island. This information is valuable to the country, communities, and schools in targeting prevention initiatives.
In addition, the survey collects information about school climate, safety, and important contributing factors to youth risk behaviours that can impede learning.
“Having reliable and consistent data allows the development of programming in line with the community’s needs. Our ongoing monitoring through this survey provides our stakeholders with information that would not otherwise be available as we seek to reduce the negative impacts of alcohol and other drugs. We are pleased that so many organisations have been utilizing the data to help strengthen their programming,” says Joan West-Dacres Executive Director for the National Drug Council.
Community involvement is essential in the administration of this survey and we are in need of fieldwork assistants for this important survey. Individuals interested will be required to volunteer approximately 1 ½ hours during the weeks of April 23rd to May 4th 2012. In order to administer the survey to students in their classrooms, there will be two sessions, morning and afternoon. Ideally, we need 80 fieldwork assistants in order to collect the data in an efficient and timely manner.
If you would like to volunteer please contact us on 949-9000 or email us on info@ndc.ky .